Weekly Writers: Beta Readers

Unsung heroes

Here’s the Weekly Writers Monday post. As the About page explains, expect short articles about writing and publishing. This is for paid subscribers only.

---

Beta Readers

Beta readers are people who read the draft of a story or novel and give feedback. So in one sense they are involved with the big picture. But they are not professional developmental editors, they are fans. As such, their perspective is different, and is more focussed on what they enjoy. Which bits of the book did they enjoy? Which thrilled them? What did they love or hate? A single beta reader can have a skewed perspective, but with a few it becomes a useful chance to see things through fresh eyes, and to get an idea of whether this is a book people will buy and love and rave about, or if it falls short. And if there are issues, then it can be an early warning, and there may well be ways to make the book more satisfying (without betraying your vision).